Three converted tries in the opening fifteen minutes for the NSW Waratahs proved too much for the Western Force to overcome, as they fell to 24-41 Round 9 loss at HBF Park.
After a physical opening to the match, it was the Waratahs who opened the scoring after four minutes through a Tane Edmed penalty goal from directly in front (0-3).
The traveling side gained a 10-point lead just moments later, with Mark Nawaqanitawase latching onto a loose pass from Ian Prior. Nawaqanitawase’s breakaway try was converted by Edmed to see the Force trail 0-10 after seven minutes.
It was a 17-point advantage to the Waratahs after 10 minutes, with fly-half Edmed breaking the line and finding centre Lalakai Foketi to cross over, which was then converted by Edmed.
Michael Hooper then crossed over for the away side to score their third try of the match in the 13th minute, with Edmed converting (0-24).
The Force responded in the 19th minute courtesy of a Reesjan Pasitoa try. The fly-half dived over the line following a superb offload from winger Manasa Mataele. Prior converted to make the score 7-24 after 20 minutes.
After a slow start, the Force began to find their rhythm enjoying sustained territory in the Waratahs defensive 22. Despite the pressure, the Waratahs stood firm to deny the Force a quickfire second try before half time.
The Force continued their momentum in the early stages of the second half, with Tim Anstee powering over in the 45th minute. The Sea of Blue rose to their feet after Anstee capitalised on the rolling maul to narrow the margin to 12 points (12-24).
Five minutes later it was the Waratahs who countered with a try from hooker Dave Porecki. The 50th minute try was successfully converted by Edmed (12-31).
The try-fest continued, as Force hooker scored his first try of the season in the 55th minute. The rolling maul again proved effective from the lineout, with Ready crossing over with ease. Prior converted to bring the margin back to 12 points (19-31).
Former Force full-back Alex Newsome scored the Waratahs fifth (63’) and sixth (65’) try of the night in quick succession after Pasitoa was shown a yellow card in the 61st minute to open a 19-41 scoreline.
In the 76th minute, the Force executed a seamless set-piece play from a scrum at the five-metre line to allow Pasitoa to score his second try of the night (24-41).
That proved to be the final score in a high-scoring clash that saw a total of seven homegrown WA players take to the field for the Force.
The Force head to Melbourne to take on Moana Pasifika in Super Round next week.
Scorers:
Western Force: Tries: Reesjan Pasitoa (19’, 75’), Tim Anstee (46’), Andrew Ready (55’) Penalty Goals: Conversions: Ian Prior (2).
NSW Waratahs: Tries: Mark Nawaqanitawase (6’), Lalakai Foketi (9’) Michael Hooper (13’), Dave Porecki (50’), Alex Newsome (63’, 65’). Penalty Goals: Tane Edmed. Conversions: Edmed (4).
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